Chapter 55

Xiao Jingyuan answered in this way.

"She is not an ordinary young lady from a noble family; although she is somewhat delicate, she has a stubborn streak in her heart, and when faced with matters she has her own opinions. Her temperament complements the princess's, so they will surely get along."

"I rarely see you praise a woman like this. Saying that, you must also admire her greatly?" Emperor Xuwen said with a smile.

Xiao Jingyuan, however, did not say more.

Thus, Emperor Xuwen finally gave his assent, agreeing to Shen Shuangning entering the palace.

The Song residence.

"Elder sister, something big has happened!" Song Yao rushed into the room in a panic.

Song Xizhi stood behind the desk, naturally picking up a book beside her to cover the letter on the table; when Song Yao came before her, she did not glance at the table at all.

"What's wrong, you're in such a hurry?" Song Xizhi remained as calm and composed as ever.

Song Yao hurriedly said: "Elder sister, did you know that Shen Shuangning is about to enter the palace as the princess's companion reader?!"

Song Xizhi showed an expression of utter calm: "I know."

Seeing her so composed, Song Yao hurriedly went around the table and stood before her.

"Elder sister, I heard that your name was also submitted; the one chosen should be you!"

In Song Yao's eyes, no one could compare to Song Xizhi.

Song Xizhi wore an indifferent look: "You don't admire her very much, do you?"

Song Yao's eyes darted a little, then she plopped onto the chair and said: "She still can't compare to you. I really don't understand why the people in the palace have taken a liking to her."

Song Xizhi then smiled and said: "You think being selected as the princess's companion reader is a good thing?"

Song Yao was taken aback by her words, lifted her head and looked at her: "Is it... not?"

"What good is it to labor without gratitude?" Song Xizhi stood by the window, gazing at the osmanthus tree outside, her thoughts drifting far away.

In her previous life, as the princess's companion reader, after entering the palace she not only had to watch her words and deeds constantly, but also had to attend to the emotionally sensitive and changeable Princess Jingyu at all times, and moreover had to deal with the impure-minded Third Prince; it could be said she was exhausted in both body and mind.

She did not like Princess Jingyu at all.

Getting on good terms with the princess was merely to seek some benefits, but the other party was ultimately a powerless little princess who could be of no help in major affairs.

Since that was the case, why should she waste effort currying favor? The matter of becoming the princess's companion reader fell to Shen Shuangning, and she naturally felt no regret.

Only, when she thought of the little princess who used to enjoy playing only with her, now wholly devoted to Shen Shuangning, Song Xizhi felt a bit uneasy inside.

But after all, it was a good thing; she was not upset.

Moreover, she had more important things to do; entering the palace as a companion reader would disrupt her plans.

Meanwhile, Shen Shuangning had arranged to meet Pei Zhi at the Drunken Cloud Pavilion.

In the private room, Shen Shuangning poured him tea herself, then got straight to the point: "Now that I have been selected as the princess's companion reader, I wonder whether the plan you mentioned yesterday, Third Master, still works?"

Pei Zhi saw the red bloodshot in her eyes and knew she must not have slept well last night, and also guessed what she was worried about.

He then said: "Since your marriage is not yet settled, they will surely try to act through you; I guess Miss Ning would like to settle the engagement with the Hou household as soon as possible to thwart their schemes."

Pei Zhi's dark eyes were like a deep pool, able to see into people's hearts.

Shen Shuangning gripped the teacup on the table with both hands, her fingers tightening slightly—a posture of unease and vigilance.

Pei Zhi's guess was indeed correct; she had considered that route, after all she was also satisfied with Xie Lin, and if it were the Yongning Hou household, the crown prince and the Third Prince would also have some misgivings.

The reasons for her hesitation were two: first, Xie Lin is currently out suppressing bandits and has not yet returned to the capital; if they were to discuss marriage, they would have to wait for his return; second, she felt it would be somewhat unfair to Xie Lin—although he would surely be delighted, marrying him under these circumstances would likely be motivated by self-interest.

Shen Shuangning's conscience felt a bit uneasy.

This is also why she today sought Pei Zhi's help, hoping to find another more suitable way out.

Shen Shuangning's silence already said everything; Pei Zhi knew he had guessed correctly.

She still did not want to marry Xie Lin; knowing this, Pei Zhi could not feel happy.

Because this further shows that she cares about Xie Lin; if she were only thinking of using him, she would not hesitate so much.

Pei Zhi gave an ambiguous smile: "If Miss Ning truly believes that marrying into the Yongning Hou household will guarantee peace and safety, then she is gravely mistaken."

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuangning lifted her head to look at him, somewhat puzzled.

Pei Zhi got straight to the point: "The key to this matter is not you, but the Duke of the State."

"The reason the crown prince and the Third Prince want to win over the Duke's household is precisely because the Duke's position is crucial; as long as the Duke continues to command the Capital Garrison's troops, even if they cannot act through you, they will not give up."

Pei Zhi looked at her gradually tightening face and spoke in a coaxing tone: "Even if you truly marry into the Yongning Hou household and are safe, the Duke and the other members of his household remain targets they can scheme against."

After hearing his words, Shen Shuangning was stunned for a moment, then gave an embarrassed smile: "I was overthinking it; what you say makes sense."

Pei Zhi did not blame her, speaking gently: "Your concerns are not wrong; indeed we must now be on guard against them. Knowing you will enter the palace, they will certainly act, and now that the crown prince has returned, the Third Prince will undoubtedly become even more frenzied."

His meaning was that she should be on even greater guard against Zhai Ji.

Shen Shuangning also understood this; Zhai Ji is a mad dog, his eyes only for power and profit, whereas the crown prince, although he has means, lacks Zhai Ji's ruthlessness and lack of feeling.

Perhaps only Prince Rui can keep him in check.

"I understand." Shen Shuangning nodded, lifted her gaze to him, and said: "You haven't yet told me what your plan is."

Pei Zhi curled his lips into a smile: "Miss Ning, do you trust me?"

His brow bone was clear and handsome, making his eyes appear even narrower; he was born with a pair of peach-blossom eyes, the shape slender and slightly upturned, lacking any softness, yet because his gaze was overly gentle it gave the impression of deep affection.

Shen Shuangning blinked in a daze, then hastily lowered her eyes, took a sip of tea, and said: "If I did not trust the Third Master, I would not have come here."

She said that only with her lips; of course she would not fully trust him.

Merely, her intuition told her that seeking him was not wrong.

Pei Zhi seemed not to notice her brief lapse, and chuckled lightly: "Actually, the answer I have already told Miss Ning."

Shen Shuangning frowned slightly, looking at him doubtfully: "You mean, let my father leave the Capital Garrison and preserve himself with wisdom?"

The troops near the capital are collectively called the Capital Garrison; Shen Lang is the commander-in-chief of the Capital Garrison, and on ordinary days he merely drills the soldiers; in times of peace, it is also considered a sinecure.

Pei Zhi replied: "That's right."

Shen Shuangning took another sip of tea, fell into contemplation, and did not answer immediately.

If Father were not serving in the Capital Garrison, the Duke's Manor would lose its appeal to the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, thereby avoiding the Duke's Manor suffering collateral damage in their struggle.

And if Father were not in the Capital Garrison, he would naturally not be sent by the Emperor to suppress bandits as in my previous life, leading to his death in a foreign land...... It seems that as long as this happens, many misfortunes can be avoided!

After realizing that the consequences of Shen Lang resigning from office were more beneficial than harmful, Shen Shuangning's eyes lit up, and she was already persuaded.

But soon after, Shen Shuangning realized that while saying this was easy, actually carrying it out was not easy.

Father had hard-won his position in the Capital Garrison; how could it be easy to persuade him to give it up?

Even if she clearly analyzed these pros and cons with him, he would still harbor hopes of a lucky outcome, and she could not directly say: 'Father, if you remain in the Capital Garrison, you will eventually bring disaster upon yourself!'

She is the one who was reborn, while others are not; they would only think she is crazy to say such ominous words.

Furthermore, if Shen Lang were to leave the Capital Garrison, what would he do? He is the mainstay of the Duke's Manor.

Pei Zhi seemed to know what she was worried about, and said: 'For now, the Duke is still governing True Stability; this is a good opportunity. Miss Ning, if you trust me, why not let me go persuade the Duke?'

Seeing her stare at him, Pei Zhi again spoke sincerely: 'Actually, I proposed this plan also out of a bit of self-interest.'

'Miss Ning wants to protect the Manor of the Duke who Honors the Nation, and I am also doing this for the Manor of the Duke who Stabilizes the Nation. The Manor of the Duke who Stabilizes the Nation needs to place its own people in the Capital Garrison, and I also do not wish for this force to fall into the hands of the Crown Prince or the Third Prince.'

Pei Zhi did not elaborate further, but Shen Shuangning understood at once and was greatly shocked.

His words indirectly revealed to her the stance of the Manor of the Duke who Stabilizes the Nation.

The Pei Manor does not side with the Crown Prince, nor with the Third Prince, leaving only the Elder Princess and Prince Rui's Faction!

This also indicates that other forces are secretly eyeing the military power of the Capital!

On the surface all is calm, but in reality wolves surround us; the situation of the Manor of the Duke who Honors the Nation has become even more perilous......

"If Miss Ning is willing to cooperate, I can guarantee that the Manor of the Duke who Honors the Nation will suffer no harm."

Such words spoken by anyone would carry a threatening tone, but Pei Zhi does not give that impression; he remains gentle and mild, making one feel no threat at all.

However, at this moment Shen Shuangning's heart again surged with intense apprehension!

Indeed, this has been plotted for a long time!

Shen Shuangning felt as if she had suddenly awakened, but after only a few days of acquaintance, she actually let him know her weak point was the Duke's Manor, and even let him see through her inner thoughts!

Shen Shuangning's gaze toward Pei Zhi became extraordinarily complex; this person's scheming is simply unfathomable!

At this very moment, Shen Shuangning felt like she was prey in his eyes, knowing he had dug a pit ahead yet she could not help but jump into it!

This person Pei Zhi is too terrifying!

"Let me think again." Shen Shuangning forcibly suppressed her violently beating heart, striving to keep her expression normal.

Pei Zhi smiled slightly and poured her tea: 'Don't rush, Miss Ning, you have plenty of time to consider.'

Afterward, Shen Shuangning hurriedly took her leave.

But she was uneasy and did not notice that a pair of gloomy eyes in the dark were fixed on her......